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Apr 30, 2010
All Horses Pass First Vet Inspection at Badminton
You might be forgiven for thinking this (the Vets' Inspection) is a catwalk parade for horses and riders, but the serious side of this beauty parade is to ensure that horses entered for the event are considered 'sound' and fit to take part in, what is probably, the most physically demanding of the equestrian sports.
It's also the perfect excuse for many of the riders to show off that new outfit (and not just the ladies!), or as Matt Ryan did last year, show your new loyalties!
Horses are paraded (trotted) in front of the Ground Jury & Vets, who scruntinise them to pick up on any minor lameness, and as any rider will tell you its a great relief to hear the "PASS" called, signaling the all clear.
There were a few nervous riders today, as three or four horses were 'held' temporarily for a closer look, but happily all horses were eventually passed fit to compete for the greatest equestrian sporting accolade, The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Trophy.
Only one horse was not presented (The Cointreau Challenge, Charlotte Castle) and subsequently withdrawn.
Most riders were out walking the course this afternoon, getting their first feel for what lies ahead on Sunday for the cross country, and you can see what Mark Todd and Clayton Fredericks had to say about the course in their Thursday Video Diaries.
Save for the early starters in the Dressage tomorrow morning, the lorry park will no doubt be buzzing 'til late into the night as the riders continue to burn off their nervous energy.
More on all of that later......in the meantime browse the image galleries from today.
Apr 27, 2025
Competitions
fischerChipmunk FRH Carries Jung to His Fifth Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L Title
Even though this is his fifth time winning the CCI5*-L in Kentucky and the 12th five-star win of his career, Michael Jung still thinks luck plays a factor in every competition.
Apr 27, 2025
Competitions
‘He’s More Than Deserving.’ Off The Record and Will Coleman Crowned Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Champions at Defender Kentucky
Phillip Dutton couldn’t refrain from laughing as William Coleman described the start of his partnership with the now 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Off The Record (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay).
Apr 27, 2025
Competitions
23 to Move Forward to Show Jumping in Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L
It was a somewhat uneventful morning in the final horse inspection for both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L, which is always a great testament to the exemplary horse care that these top athletes receive and the horsemanship exhibited by their riders.
Apr 27, 2025
Competitions
The 2025 K3DE Daily: Show Jumping Day
And just like that, it's the final day of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and it's a full one in terms of the schedule. Before moving on to the final phase, competitors in both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L divisions will have to undergo the final horse inspection at High Hope Lane which will kick off with four-star competitors at 8 a.m. EST and be followed immediately by the five-star contingency.
